Bobbin lugger and method

ABSTRACT

A bobbin lugger and method for simultaneously attaching a number of lugs to opposite sides of a bobbin. The lugs are first fed to lugging positions in two applicators located on opposite sides of the bobbin and are clamped in that position, following which the applicators are moved toward the bobbin to seat the lugs in the bobbin pockets.

0 Unlted States Patent 1 1 3,576,063

[72] Inventor Franslsc' usC.Bakermans [56] References Cited Hmisburz, Pa. UNITED STATES PATENTS 1969 3,186,077 6/1965 Vickery, Jr. 29/203 [221 S d f 3,368,276 2/1968 Renskers 29/625 [451 In 3,390,428 7/1968 Graunke 6161.... 29/203x [731 Asslgnee 3,517,157 6/1970 136616161. 219/85 New Cumberland, Pa.

Primary ExaminerThomas l-l. Eager AttorneyThomas Hooker [54] BOBBIN LUGGER AND METHOD Chums 13 Drawing Figs ABSTRACT: A bobbin lugger and method for simultaneously [52] US. Cl 29/203, attaching a number of lugs to opposite sides of a bobbin. The

29/625 lugs are first fed to lugging positions in two applicators located [51] lnttcl. ..H05k 13/04 on opposite sides of the bobbin and are clamped in that [50] Field of Search 29/203, position, following which the applicators are moved toward 625, 626, 203 (B), 203 (DT), 200 (B) the bobbin to seat the lugs in the bobbin pockets.

BOBBIN LUGGER AND METHOD The invention relates to an apparatus and method for attaching lugs, terminals, connectors and the like to bobbins or other supports. The machine accurately and reliably mounts a number of lugs in pockets on both sides of a bobbin during one cycle of operation without reorienting the bobbin. The bobbin is fed between a ram plate and a base having a pair of applicators located to each side of the bobbin. Each applicator includes a lug feed and a lug clamp for holding a number of lugs in position to i be mounted on the bobbin. Following positioning of the bobbin on a support between the applicators, the applicators are simultaneously moved toward the bobbin to seat the lugs in the bobbin pockets. The ram plate rises to release the lugs from the applicators, and the applicators are withdrawn. Prior to lowering of the ram plate, the lugged bobbin is ejected from the machine and additional lugs are fed to the clamps.

The apparatus and method represent an improvement over conventional bobbin luggers where lugs are mounted on the bobbins by feeding an entire lug strip toward the bobbins to seat the lead lug in the pocket, following which lowering of a ram plate severs the lug mounted on the bobbin from the strip. In the present apparatus the steps of feeding, clamping, severing, and mounting the lug on the bobbin are performed independently and are spaced in time throughout the cycle of the applicator. The reliability of the machine is improved and it is less sensitive to slight variations in adjustment than conventional bobbin luggers.

Additionally, applicant's machine simultaneously attaches lugs to both sides of the bobbin without requiring that the bobbin be reoriented after lugs have been attached to one side in order to present another side to the same tooling. In this way the speed of operation of the lugger is increased so that a greater number of bobbins may be lugged within a given period of time. a

The bobbin lugger disclosed is easily adapted to lug bobbins of different sizes having lug-receiving pockets at different locations. The lugger is also easily adapted to attach different size lugs to bobbins so that one machine may be easily altered to meet a customer's requirements. This flexibility eliminates the necessity of requiring a separate machine for lugging each type of bobbin or of having to rebuild conventional bobbin luggers so that they are capable of attaching lugs to a bobbin other than that for which they were intended. The flexibility of the present bobbin lugger is not found in conventional luggers.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a front view of a bobbin lugger according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partially broken away front view of the right-hand side of the bobbin lugger of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are similar to FIG. 2, illustrating different positions;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side plan view taken along line 88 of FIG-7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the electrical circuitry of the bobbin lugger;

FIG. 10 is a schematic of the pneumatic circuitry of the bobbin lugger;

FIG. II is a plan view of a strip of lugs which are applied to bobbins by the lugger;

FIG. I2 is a side view of a bobbin to which the lugs shown in FIG. 11 are applied; and

FIG. 13 is a front view of a lug cutoff knife.

The lugger is useful in applying metal contacts to bobbins for coils or other circuit elements. Bobbin lugger or applicator 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a fixed base 12 mounted on suitable supports. Bobbin support 14 is mounted in the center of the base and similar lug applicators l6 and 18 are slidably mounted on the base to either side of the bobbin support. A crankshaft 20 is joumaled in bearings in brackets 22 which extend upwardly from the base 12. The crankshaft 20 is rotated by a drive motor 24 through belt drive 26 and solenoid actuated one-revolution clutch 28. Ram plate 32 is secured to the ram for movement away from and toward the base 12 upon rotation of the crankshaft. Plate 32 is shown in the rest position in FIG. 1. Rotation of the crankshaft moves the plate 32 away from the base and back to the'rest position.

Cams 34 and 36 are mounted on one end of shaft 20 and are provided with lobes so that during each revolution of the crankshaft normally open microswitches 38 and 40 are closed when their triggers engage the cam lobes.

Bobbin support 14 includes a bobbin slide bar 42 which is mounted on base 12 and projects laterally out from under ram plate 32. Air cylinder 44 is mounted on bar 42 by means of plate 46 and block 48 with piston rod 49 extending toward the bobbin lugger. A bobbin feed fork 50 is mounted on the end of the piston rod 49 so that upon extension of the air cylinder the fork is moved to the dotted position illustrated in FIG. 4. The fork 50 is held onto the piston rod by screws 52 to permit ready substitution of different size forks to adapt the bobbin lugger for different size bobbins.

Raised bobbin locating plate 54 is mounted on bar 42 adjacent the inner end of the bar. The plate projects a slight distance above the top surface of bar 42 and is pointed as illustrated in FIG. 5 at the end adjacent cylinder 44. Plate 54 is secured to bar 42 by screws 56 to permit ready substitution of different plates to accommodate bobbins of different sizes.

The lugger l0 simultaneously mounts six lugs in blind pockets 58 formed in opposite sides of one head of bobbin 60. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the bobbin 60 is provided with a square prismatic core 62 with beads 64 and 66 on opposite ends thereof. A recess 68 extends between a pair of opposite sides in head 66 and lug-receiving pockets 58 are formed in the other opposite sides of head 66. The width of recess 68 is slightly greater than the width of locating plate 54 so that the plate 54 serves to locate the bobbin on bar 42.

FIG. 11 illustrates a portion of a strip 70 of bobbin lugs 72 which lugger 10 attaches to bobbin '60. Operation of the bobbin lugger illustrated simultaneously mounts six lugs in the pockets 58 of head 66. The lugs 72 in strip 70 contain flat spade portions 74 adapted to be inserted within pockets 58. Retaining barbs 76 are lanced up from portion 74 to lock the lugs in the pockets. The lugs also include a contact portion 78 which, in the case of lugs 72, comprises strengthened tails which may be used for establishing wire wrap connections or may be mounted in the circuit board hole for establishing a soldered connection. In strip 70 each lug 72 is joined to an adjacent lug by a narrow connecting section 80. Prior to attaching a lug to the bobbin, the lug is severed from the strip at the connecting section 80. The bobbin lugger may be used to apply other types of lugs to bobbins, and it is not intended that the invention be limited to an applicator for the particular form of lugs disclosed in FIG. ill. Likewise, the invention is not limited by the form of bobbin or support on which the lugs are mounted.

A bobbin 60 is placed on bar 42 in the position illustrated in FIG. 5 by an automatic bobbin feed (not shown). Bobbin head 66 is adjacent bar 42 and pockets 58 face each side of the bar. Following feeding of the bobbin onto the bar 42, air cylinder 44 is extended so that fork 50 fits around the body of the bobbin above head 66. The width of fork 50 is less than the width of the head 66 so that the fork does not extend outwardly of the bobbin. Continued extension of the air cylinder moves the bobbin to the work position illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 5 between plate 12 and ram plate 32.

A stop 82 is adjustably mounted on the lower face of plate 32 by means of guide 84 and adjustment screw 86. The stop may be moved toward and away from the front of the applicator by turning screw 86. Stop 82 extends downwardly from the plate 32 toward base 12. The lower end of the stop is provided with a beveled surface 88 facing the bobbin support 14. When fork 50 is fully extended, the beveled ends 90 of the branches of the fork engage surface 88 of stop 82 so that the When the bobbin is in the work position as shown in FIG. 5,

a the locating plate 54 is fitted in recess 68 and locates the bobbin laterally relative to bar 42, and stop 82 locates the bobbin longitudinally relative to the bar. Pressure in the air cylinder 44 assures-that the bobbin is clamped in the work position during the lugging operation. The position of stop 82 along the axis of bar 42 may be adjusted by means of screw 86 so that the applicator can be adapted to lug different size and type bobbins. The pointed, end of plate 54 assures that when the fork is extended, the bobbin is properly mounted on bar 42 with the upper portion of plate 54 in recess 68.

Pneumatic ejectors 92, illustrated in FIG. 6, are located on each side of slide bar 42 and include nozzles 94 which direct a blast of compressed air toward the bobbin work position. Following lugging of the bobbin, air is supplied to ejectors 92 so that the bobbin is blown into a storage receptacle located at the back of the lugger.

Lug applicators 16 and 18 are identical, with the exception that applicator 16 is right-handed and feeds lugs to the pockets on the right-hand edge of bobbin head 66 as viewed in FIG. 1, and lug applicator 18 is left-handed and feeds lugs to the pockets in the left-hand edge of bobbin head 66. While applicator 16 will be described in detail, it is understood that the construction of applicator 18 is identical to that of applicator 16 with the exception that applicator 18 feeds lugs from the left to the bobbin and applicator 16 feeds lugs to the bobbin from the right. Both applicators operate in the same sequence during operation of the lugger.

Applicator 16 includes a baseplate 96 which is slidably mounted on the top surface of base 12 by guides 98. The guides 98 permit movement of plate E6 and the entire applicator 16 toward and away from bar 42. A flat strip guide plate 100 is secured to the top of plate 96 and is provided with a number of longitudinal recesses or feed tracks 102 in the face adjacent the top of plate 96. Tracks 102 extend along plate 100 toward bar 42 and form paths through which lug strips 70 are fed as lugs are attached to bobbins. Each strip is fed from a reel 104 and into a track 102, as indicated in FIG. 1. The strips 70 are fed into tracks 102 in the direction of arrow 106 in FIG. 11, with spade portions 7 1 at the lead ends of the lugs and with the barbs 76 projecting upward away from plate 96.

In the case of applicators 16 and 18, three tracks 102 are provided in each plate 181 and three lugs are simultaneously attached to each side of bobbin 60 during a cycle of operation of the applicator. If it is desirable to attach less than three lugs to a bobbin, a strip may be removed from one or more of the plate 96. Pins 110 extend into slots-111 in base 12. Springs 112 are confined between plates 96 and 108 to urge plate 108 toward ram plate 32 so that rollers 114 carried by plate 108 are at all times held against the bottom surface of plate 32. Rollers 114 reduce friction between applicator 16 and plate 32 during sliding movement of the applicator toward and away from the bar 42. Feed air cylinder 116 is mounted on the end of plate 96 away from bar 42 by support 118. The piston rod 120 of the cylinder is secured to feed slide 122 through a suitable self-aligning connection. Support 124 is mounted on the sides of plate 96 and extends completely across the width thereof over plate 100 and is provided with a recess 126 in the upper portion thereof above plate 100. Feed slide 122 is fitted in recess 126 so that extension and retraction of air cylinder 1 16 moves the slide toward and away from bar 42.

Openings 128, 130 and 132 are formed in plate and extend across the plate past all of the feed tracks 102. Support 118 carries a spring-biased drag 134 which extends through opening 128 to engage the lug strips between the barbs on each strip, thereby assuring uniform feeding of the strips.

Support 124 carries a spring-biased latch finger 136 which extends through opening and rests on the strips 70 to prevent the strips from being moved backwards during retraction of feed finger 138. As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the lead end of latch finger 136 is positioned behind lug barbs 76. The latch finger 136 extends across tracks 102.

Feed finger 138 is pivotally mounted on the lead end of slide 122 and is biased toward plate 96 by spring 140 so that the free end of the finger extends down through opening 132 in plate 100 to engage the lug strips 70. The lead end of the feed finger is normally positioned just behind the lug barbs 76. The finger extends across all of the feed tracks 102 to engage each strip 70. The longitudinal extent of opening 132 is sufficient to permit movement of the feed finger downstream to a position behind the barbs on the next downstream lug upon retraction ofair cylinder 116.

Cutout slot 142 extends across plate 96 at the lead end of plate 100. Mounted above slot 142 on plate 108 is a lug cutoff knife 144 shown in FIG. 13. A knife lug recess 145 is located above each strip 70. Each recess 145 has a lead-in portion 147 and a lug alignment portion 149. Portions 149 are slightly wider than lug portions 78. Lowering of the ram fits lug portions 78 of strip 70 in alignment portions 149 so that the strips are located laterally relative to the bobbin. Cutoff edges 151 at the upper edges 151 at the upper ends of portions 149 sever the lead lugs from strips 70 when the ram plate bottoms. When the ram plate 32 is in the lower or rest position of FIG. 2, the cutoff edges of knife 144 extend into slot 142 to sever the lead lugs from strips 70.

Plate 108 also carries a spring-biased clamp 146 which is located immediately upstreamfrom knife 144. The clamp is secured to plate 108 by guides 148 which permit movement of the clamp toward and away from the plate. Spring biases the clamp away from the plate toward the position illustrated in FIG. 4.

Clamp 146 extends across strips 70. When plate 32 is in the rest position of FIG. 2, spring 150 is compressed and the clamp 1 6 is held against the lugs on portion 154 of block 96. During lowering of ram plate 32 the clamp 146 engages the lead lugs after the strips are located laterally by the knife 144 and before the lugs are severed by edges 151. Thus when the ram bottoms, each lug is accurately held between the clamp 14-6 and portion 154 with the spade portion 74 presented toward the bobbin held in the work position on bar 42 in alignment with a bobbin pocket. When knife edges 151 sever the lead lugs from the strip at connecting portions 80, portions 78 are bent down slightly. This bending does not permanently deform the lugs. Knife 144 may be modified to blank a small portion of the connecting portion 80 between the lead lug and the strip.

Movement of the applicators 16 and 18 toward and away from bar 42 is accomplished by a drive mechanism illustrated in F168. 1 and 7. Rotary shaft 156 is journaled in bearings 158 mounted on base supports and extends behind the base in alignment with bar 42. The shaft carries a pinion gear 160 which is in engagement with rack 162. The ends of the rack are attached to the pistons of opposing air cylinders 164 and 166 so that selective extension and retraction of the air cylinders rotates shaft 156.

Rotation of shaft 156 is limited by adjustable stops 168 and 170 mounted on back plate 172. A collar 174 is secured to the end of shaft 156 adjacent stops 168 and 170 and carries a projecting lug 176 which engages the stops to limit rotation of the shaft. The collar also carries cam 178 which closes normally open microswitch 180 when lug 176 is positioned adjacent stop 170.

The other end of shaft 156 is located below base 12 and is provided with a diametral'head 182 which carries opposed cranks 183. Links 184 are pivotally mounted on cranks 183 equidistant from the center of shaft 156 and extend to opposite sides of the shaft. The outer ends of the links 184 are pivotally mounted to the lower ends of yokes 186 below base 12. Each yoke 1186 is pivoted to a bracket 188 secured on the bottom surface of the base and extends upwardly through an opening 198 in base 12.

An adjustment block 192 is located in a recess 194 in the bottom of each plate 96. A pin 1% extends laterally across an opening 198 in each block 192 and is fitted within a groove 288 in the upper end of yoke 186.

Extension of air cylinder 166 and retraction of air cylinder 164 rotate shaft 156 to move lug 176 from engagement with stop 168 to engagement with stop 178. This rotation of the shaft rotates head 182 in a counterclockwise direction so that links 184 are moved away from the shaft to pivot yokes 186 and move slide applicator assemblies 16 and 18 toward the bobbin held on bar 42. Likewise, extension of air cylinder 164 and retraction of air cylinder 166 move the applicators away from the bobbin held in the work position. The location of blocks 192 in plates 96 is adjusted by screws 282 so that when each applicator is moved to the full extent toward the bobbin held on bar 42, the lead lugs 204 held on plate 96 by clamps 146 are fully seated in the bobbin pockets 58. This adjustment is readily made to adapt the lugger to a variety of bobbins and does not affect the strip feed.

FIG. 9 illustrates the electrical circuitry of bobbin lugger Ill. Leads 286 and 288 are connected to a power source. Lead 206 is connected to lead 210 through on-off switch 212. Drive motor 24 is connected between leads 208 and 218. Foot switch 214 and control valve solenoid 216, normally open pressure switch 218, and control valve solenoid 220, normally open microswitch 188 and the solenoid 222 in one-revolution clutch 28, normally open microswitch 38 and control valve solenoid 224, and normally open microswitch 48 and control valve solenoid 226 are all connected in series between leads 208 and 218. Thus when switch 212 is closed, motor 24 is actuated and solenoids 216, 228, 222, 224 and 226 are actuated upon closing of switches 214, 218, 188, 38 and 40, respectively.

FIG. 10 illustrates the pneumatic circuitry of bobbin lugger 10. Lead 228 is connected to a pressure fluid source 238. The pneumatic ejectors 92 are connected to lead 228 through control valve 252 which is mounted on the lugger 18 above ram plate 32. As the ram plate moves up to the position illustrated in FIG. 2, it depresses plunger 234 of valve 232 to open the valve and supply a blast of compressed air through the ejector nozzles so that the lugged bobbin is blown out of the machine. Lowering of the ram closes the valve.

The strip feed air cylinders 116 in applicators 16 and 18 are connected to lead 228 through solenoid actuated control valve 236. Actuation of solenoid 224 shifts valve 286 so that pressure fluid is supplied through lead 238 to air cylinders 116 and lead 248 is vented so that the air cylinders are retracted and the feed fingers 138 are moved upstream relative to the lug strips 78. When solenoid 224 is deenergized,return spring 242 shifts valve 236 to supply pressure fluid through lead 240 and to vent lead 238 so that cylinders 116 are extended to feed the lead lug of each strip forward toward the slide bar 42.

Air cylinders 164 and v 166 are connected to lead 228 through leads 244 and 246 through solenoid controlled valve 248. Actuation of solenoid 228 shifts valve 248 to supply pressure fluid through lead 246 and to vent lead 244, thereby extending cylinder 166 and retracting cylinder 144 to rotate shaft 156 in a counterclockwise direction. When solenoid 221) is deenergized, spring 258 shifts valve 248 to supply pressure fluid through lead 244 and to vent lead 246, thereby extending cylinder 164 and retracting cylinder 166 to rotate shaft 156 in a clockwise direction.

Bobbin feed air cylinder 44 is connected to lead 228 through double solenoid controlled valve 252 and leads 254 and 256. Energization of solenoid 216 shifts valve 252 to supply pressure fluid to cylinder 44 through lead 256 and to vent lead 254, thereby extending cylinder 44 to feed the bobbin to the work position. Pressure switch 218 is mounted in lead 256'. Flow controls 257 are also mounted in lead 256 to either side of switch 218 to limit the flow of pressure fluid through lead 256 so that fork 50 is not extended or retracted too rapidly. When the air cylinder 44 is fully extended and the pressure in lead 256 builds up, switch 218 is turned on. Energizationv of solenoid 226 shifts valve 252 to supply pressure fluid to cylinder 44 through lead 254 and to vent lead 256, thereby retracting cylinder 44. During retraction of the air cylinder 44, the pressure in lead 256 drops and switch 218 opens.

Actuation of solenoid 222 upon closing of switch 180 engages one-revolution clutch 28 so that ram plate 32 will be raised from the position illustratedin FIG. 2 to the position illustrated in FIG. 4 and then returned to the bottomed position of FIG. 2.

OPERATION OF THE BOBBIN LUGGER At the start of the cycle of operation the bobbin lugger is positioned as illustrated in FIG. 1 with ram plate 32 in the down position holding applicator top plates 108 down against springs 112 so that the lead lugs 284 are held between clamps 146 and portion 154 of plate 96. The lead lugs 204 have been severed from strip 70 by cutters 144. In this position the feed air cylinders 116 are extended so that the ends of the feed fingers 138 are positioned immediately behind the barbs on the end lugs of strips 70. Air cylinder 164 is extended so that a diametral head 182 is nearly vertical and applicators 16 and 18 are away from slide bar 42.

After switch 212 is closed to actuate motor 24 and the automatic bobbin feed has positioned a bobbin on bar 42 as illustrated in FIG. 4, the cycle of operation of the lugger is begun by closing foot switch 214 to energize solenoid 216. Energization of the solenoid 216 shifts the valve 252 to extend cylinder 44, thereby moving fork 58 toward the bobbin so that the tines of the fork straddle the body of the bobbin. Continued extension of the air cylinder moves the fork and bobbin along bar 42 so that the bobbin is held in the work position 231 on the bar shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 5 and 6. The pressure exerted by cylinder 44 on fork 50 forces beveled edge against beveled edge 88 of stop 82 so that the tines of the fork are forced down to clamp the bobbin securely on bar 42. In the clamped work position the sides of the bobbin head 66 containing lug-receiving pockets 58 are held between the tines of fork 58 and bar 42, and plate 54 extends into bobbin recess 68. Thus, the bobbin is located accurately along the axis of bar 42 and is centered on the bar. The location of the bobbin along the axis of the bar may be adjusted by means of screw 86 to assure that the pockets 58 are in alignment with strips 78 in applicators 16 and 18.

When the air cylinder 44 is fully extended and pressure builds up in line 256, normally open pressure switch 218 closes to energize solenoid 228 which shifts valve 248 against spring 250. Shifting of the valve 248 supplies pressure fluid to air cylinder 166 and vents air cylinder 164 so that shaft 156 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1.

counterclockwise rotation of the shaft rotates yokes 186 to move applicators 16 and 18 toward the bobbin held in the work position. During this movement top plates 108 roll along the lower surface of ram plate 32. As the applicators are moved toward the bottomed position adjacent slide bar 42, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the spade portions 74 of the lead lugs 204 are inserted in blind pockets 58 on each side of the bobbin 60 which is held against bar 42. When the applicators are bottomed adjacent bar 42, the spade portions are fully inserted in the pockets 58 with barbs 76 within the pockets to resist withdrawal of the lugs from the pockets.

When the bobbin is lugged, shaft 156 has rotated to bring lug 176 into contact with stop and cam 178 in contact with the trigger of switch 188 to close the switch and energize solenoid 222. When solenoid 222 is energized, one-revolution clutch 2% is engaged so that crank 2b is rotated by motor 2 3 and ram plate 3 2 is raised from the bottomed position of F lGS. land 2. As the ram plate moves up, springs 112 hold top plate 108 against the ram plate so that the lugs 204 which have been secured in pockets 5?} are released as clamp 146 is moved away from portion 354. Upward movement of plate 108 also movescutoff knife M4 above groove 142.

As crank 20 rotates and plate 32 is raised, cam 34 rotates to engage the trigger of microswitch 40 to close the same and energize solenoid 226. When the solenoid 226 is energized, valve 252 is shifted to retract bobbin feed cylinder 44 and thereby move fork 50 back to the position illustrated in FIG. 6. When the pressure in line 256 is vented, pressure switch 218 opens to deenergize solenoid 2320, allowing spring 250 to shift valve 248 thereby extending air cylinder 164 and retracting air cylinder 166 to rotate shaft 156 in a clockwise direction. Rotation of the shaft rotates yoke 186 so as to retract applicators l6 and 13 away from slide bar 42. Rotation of the shaft 156 also moves cam 1'78 away from the trigger of switch 180 so that when crank 20 has completed a single revolution, clutch 28 disengages because solenoid 222 is deenergized.

While the ram plate 32 is still rising and after the applicators are retracted, cam 36 on shaft 20 closes microswitch 33 to energize solenoid 224, thereby shifting valve 236 to retract feed cylinders lib. Retraction of the feed cylinders moves the feed-fingers R33 upstream relative to strips 70 so that the lead ends of the feed fingers are positioned behind the barbs on the second lead lugs in the strips. Following retraction of cylinders 116, rotation of shaft 20 moves cam 36 out of engagement with the trigger of switch 38 so that the switch is opened to permit spring 242 to shift valve 1236, thereby extending the feed cylinders M6 and feeding the lead terminals of strip 70 to a position above plate portions 154 and beneath clamps 146. While in the applicators disclosed the feed air cylinders lib are retracted and then extended when the ram plate is above the bottomed position to feed the lug strips toward slide bar 42, -it is obvious that the'cylinders could be extended from a retracted position to feed the lugs and then retracted, instead of being retracted and then extended to feed the lugs.

When the shaft 29 rotates sufficiently to move plate 32 almost to the top position, the plate engages plunger 2% of valve 232 so that the valve opens and an air blast is supplied to pneumatic ejectors 92. The blast blows the iugged bobbin to the back of the apparatus where it falls into a suitable container. When plate 32 is fully raised, stop 82 is raised sufiiciently so that it does not hinder ejection of the lugged bobbin. Continued rotation of the shaft 2b lowers plate 32, closes valve 232, and brings spring-biased clamps 1 16 down into engagement with the lead lugs 26% to clamp them against plate portions 155 in position for insertion in a bobbin during the next cycle of operation of the bobbin lugger. Continued lowering of plate 32 moves cutoff knives i 34 below strips 70 to sever the clamped new lead lugs 20 3 from the strips. When the plate is lowered back to the bottomed position of FIG. 2., one-revolution clutch 28 disengages to end the cycle of operation of the machine.

The bobbin lugger will automatically apply lugs to bobbins at the rate of approximately 45 bobbins a minute. The

. operation of the machine may be automated by providing an automatic feed for locating a bobbin in proper orientation on bar 42 following retraction of fork 50. A microswitch which is tripped when the bobbin is placed on bar 42 may be substituted for foot switch 214 so that the cycle of operation of the bobbin lugger is initiated when the automatic bobbin feed has positioned a bobbin on bar 42. At the end of the cycle of operation of the bobbin lugger a microswitch may be tripped when the fork is retracted to actuate the automatic bobbin feed.

Bobbin lugger i0 is readily modified so that it may be used to lug different sizes of bobbins having different terminal or lug pocket spacing. Thus it is a relatively simple matter to alter a bobbin lugger according to the invention in a customers plant to lug different sized bobbins without completely rebuilding the machine. Conventional bobbin luggers are built for one purpose only, and major substitution of parts is required to modify such a machine to lug a different bobbin than the one for which it was built.

ln lugging bobbins it is important that the lugs be applied to the bobbin in the correct location. If the lug is not accurately located, the lugs will not be properly aligned to receive automatic wire wrap tooling for fitting within circuit board holes prior to soldering. Each of applicants applicators l6 and i3 assures that the lead lugs 204 are accurately clamped prior to insertion in the bobbin pockets. Because top plates 108 which carry the cutoff knives 144 are accurately located relative to plates 96 by posts 1110, portions 149 locate the lugs in the proper position prior to clamping so that upon movement of the applicators toward bar 42 the spade portions of the lead lugs are inserted in the pockets with the contact portions in the desired location.

it is conventional to seat the spade portion of the lead lugs in bobbin pockets by moving the bobbin toward the strip. ln bobbin luggers utilizing this conventional approach the lug strips are fed toward the bobbin, clamped-and the lead lug is severed during a very short period of time prior to bottoming of the press ram. After bottoming of the press the bobbin must be pressed on the held lugs to seat the lugs in the bobbin pockets. it is very important than the timing of these operations be exact. Because of the close timing required in such conventional bobbin luggers, they require frequent maintenance when used in production in order to be kept in working order.

Applicant's bobbin lugger separates the steps of feeding, clamping, severing, and lugging so that they are all performed during discrete intervals in the cycle of operation of the lugger. Because the operations performed on the lead lug are spaced out over a longer period of time, it is less critical that the operations occur at exact times during the cycle of the machine. Thus, the applicator here described has a far greater reliability than conventional applicators and requires less maintenance. While the clamping and severing steps occur close together in time, their sequence is positively controlled since lowering of the ram plate brings the clamps into engagement with the lead lugs before the cutters have been moved down to engage and sever the lugs from the strips.

While the lugger 10 applies lugs to bobbins from a strip of lugs where each lug forms part of the length of the strip, the invention is not intended to be limited to a machine using such a lug strip. Obviously, the invention could apply lugs to a bobbin where the lugs are carried by a carrier strip and project laterally from the carrier strip. Loose lugs could also be fed to a position between portion l54 and clamp 146 without using a lug strip.

The invention may be used to attach lugs, terminals, connectors and the like to bobbins, coil forms, other substrates or supports. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited only to an apparatus and method for applying lugs to a bobbin.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is understood that this is capable of modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for attaching lugs to bobbins comprising a base; a ram plate above said base movable from a lower position adjacent said base away from and back toward said base; a bobbin feed on said base operable to move a bobbin to a work position; a lug applicator on said base movable toward and away from the bobbin held in said work position; said applicator including a baseplate on said base, lug feed means operable when said ram plate is away from said base for moving a lug to a lugging position in said applicator where a portion of the lug projects toward said bobbin work position, a

top plate above said baseplate mounted on said baseplate to permit movement toward and away from the baseplate, spring means confined between said top and baseplates to bias the top plate away from the baseplate, a portion of said top plate extending beneath said ram plate so that said spring means holds said top plate against said ram plate during movement thereof away from and toward said base, and clamp means on said top plate above said baseplate for clamping said lug in said lugging position when the ram plate is in the lower position; and means for moving said applicator with the lug clamped thereon toward the bobbin in said work position to attach said lug portion to said bobbin.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said lug feed includes means for feeding a continuous strip of lugs toward the bobbin held in said work position so that the lead lug projects from said applicator toward said bobbin, said applicator including cutoff means operable during lowering of said ram plate to sever said lead lug from said strip following clamping of said lug by said clamp means.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said clamp means is spring backed to hold said lead lug in said applicator resiliently and said applicator includes means for orienting said lead lug relative to the bobbin.

4. Apparatus as in claim 2 including a second lug applicator like said first-mentioned lug applicator, said second applicator located on said base adjacent said bobbin work position, and means for moving both of said applicators toward said work position to attach lugs from both applicators on the bobbin in said work position.

5. Apparatus as in claim 4 for attaching lugs on a bobbin having lug-receiving pockets formed therein, wherein said bobbin feed includes locating means for positively positioning said bobbin in said work position relative to said applicators so that the lugs from each applicator are inserted to the same depth in the lug-receiving pockets in the bobbin.

6. Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said bobbin feed includes a bobbin slide and a feed member movable along said slide to position a bobbin in said work position, part of said feed member extending over a portion of the bobbin in the work position, said part engaging part of said ram plate to force said part against said bobbin and clamp the same against said slide in the work position.

7. Apparatus as in claim 4 including means for ejecting said bobbin from said apparatus following attachment of lugs on said bobbin.

8. Apparatus for attaching lugs on opposite sides of a bobbin comprising a base; a ram plate above said baseplate movable from a lower position away from and back toward said base; means for feeding a bobbin to a work position between said base and said ram plate; a pair of lug applicators mounted on said baseplate to either side of said work position; each applicator including a baseplate on said base and a top plate, said top plate mounted on said baseplate for movement toward and away therefrom and biased away therefrom by spring means so as to be maintained in contact with said ram plate, feed means between said baseplate and ram plate for positioning the lead lug of a lug strip adjacent said bobbin work position with a portion thereof projecting past said applicator toward said work position, resilient clamp means for clamping said lead lug between said base and top plates upon lowering of said ram plate, and cutoff means operable upon lowering of said ram plate following clamping of said lug to sever said lug from said strip; and drive means for moving both of said applicators toward the bobbin held in said work position to attach said portion of said lugs held in said clamps to the bobbin.

9. Apparatus as in claim 8 including a pneumatic bobbin ejector operable to direct a blast of air on said bobbin following movement of said ram plate away from said base and opening of said clamps to eject a lugged bobbin from the apparatus.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said bobbin feed is located on one side of said base and said pneumatic ejector is adjacent said bobbin feed means and operable to eject said lugged bobbin out the opposite side of said base.

11. Apparatus for attaching lugs to both sides of a blind pocket bobbin including a base; a ram plate above said base movable from a rest position away from said base and back to said rest position; a bobbin slide on said base extending from a position beneath said ram plate outwardly to one side of said base; a bobbin feed member extendable along said slide to move a bobbin to a work position beneath said ram plate; a pair of lug applicators located on said baseplate to either side of said slide; each applicator including a baseplate movable toward and away from said slide, atop plate mounted on said baseplate and movable toward and away therefrom, spring means confined between said top and baseplates to hold said top plate against said ram plate, a strip feed on said baseplate including a feed groove extending along the applicator toward said slide, and feed means for moving a strip of lugs along said groove toward said slide to move the lead lug to a position with a portion thereof projecting outwardly of said applicator toward said slide, the remainder of said lug positioned above a portion of said baseplate, a resilient clamp on said top plate above said portion of said baseplate :so that upon lowering of said ram plate to said rest position the lead lug is clamped against said portion of said baseplate, and cutoff means including a knife on said top plate on the side of said clamp away from said slide operable to sever said lead lug from said strip following clamping of said lug as the ram plate returns to the rest position; and drive means operable when said ram plate is in the rest position for simultaneously moving both of said applicators toward the bobbin held in said work position to seat the exposed portions of said lead lugs in pockets on both sides of said bobbin.

12. Apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said drive means includes a rotatable shaft located below said base, means to rotate said shaft in two directions, and a mechanical linkage between said shaft and said applicators whereby rotation of said shaft in one direction moves said applicators toward said slide and rotation of said shaft in the other direction moves said applicators away from said slide.

13. Apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said bobbin feed member comprises a fork having a pair of laterally spaced tines extending along the axis of said slide so that a bobbin may be fitted between said tines with portions below the tines for feeding of the bobbin to said work position, a clamp member extending downwardly from said ram plate to engage said fork when said fork is extended and a bobbin is positioned in said work position whereby the bobbin is clamped in said work position between said tines and said slide.

14. The method of attaching a contact element to a substrate comprising the steps of locating a substrate in a work position, feeding a contact element to a position adjacent the substrate, clamping the element between a pair of jaws in a fixed location relative to the substrate with a portion of the element exposed to the substrate, moving the jaws with the element clamped therebetween toward the substrate to attach the exposed portion of the element to the substrate at a desired location, and releasing the jaws.

15. The method of attaching a lug to a bobbin comprising the steps of mounting a bobbin in a work position, feeding a strip of lugs toward the bobbin to position the lead lug of said strip adjacent the bobbin, clamping the lead lug between a pair of jaws with a portion thereof projecting from between the jaws toward the bobbin, severing the lead lug from the strip while clamped, moving said jaws with the lead lug clamped therebetween toward the bobbin to seat said lug portion in a lug-receiving pocket on the bobbin, and opening said jaws to release the lug.

16. The method of attaching lugs to opposite sides of a bobbin comprising the steps of locating a bobbin in a work position, simultaneously feeding lug strips located on opposite sides of the bobbin toward the bobbin, clamping the lead lug of each strip between a pair of jaws with a portion of the lead lug exposed toward the bobbin, severing said lugs from said strips following clamping, moving said jaws with the lead lugs therebetween toward said bobbin to attach said lug portions to said bobbin, and opening said jaws to free said lugs. 

1. Apparatus for attaching lugs to bobbins comprising a base; a ram plate above said base movable from a lower position adjacent said base away from and back toward said base; a bobbin feed on said base operable to move a bobbin to a work position; a lug applicator on said base movable toward and away from the bobbin held in said work position; said applicator including a baseplate on said base, lug feed means operable when said ram plate is away from said base for moving a lug to a lugging position in said applicator where a portion of the lug projects toward said bobbin work position, a top plate above said baseplate mounted on said baseplate to permit movement toward and away from the baseplate, spring means confined between said top and baseplates to bias the top plate away from the baseplate, a portion of said top plate extending beneath said ram plate so that said spring means holds said top plate against said ram plate during movement thereof away from and toward said base, and clamp means on said top plate above said baseplate for clamping said lug in said lugging position when the ram plate is in the lower position; and means for moving said applicator with the lug clamped thereon toward the bobbin in said work position to attach said lug portion to said bobbin.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said lug feed includes means for feeding a continuous strip of lugs toward the bobbin held in said work position so that the lead lug projects from said applicator toward said bobbin, said applicator including cutoff means operable during lowering of said ram plate to sever said lead lug from said strip following clamping of said lug by said clamp means.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said clamp means is spring backed to hold said lead lug in said applicator resiliently and said applicator includes means for orienting said lead lug relative to the bobbin.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 2 including a second lug applicator like said first-mentioned lug applicator, said second applicator located on said base adjacent saiD bobbin work position, and means for moving both of said applicators toward said work position to attach lugs from both applicators on the bobbin in said work position.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 4 for attaching lugs on a bobbin having lug-receiving pockets formed therein, wherein said bobbin feed includes locating means for positively positioning said bobbin in said work position relative to said applicators so that the lugs from each applicator are inserted to the same depth in the lug-receiving pockets in the bobbin.
 6. Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said bobbin feed includes a bobbin slide and a feed member movable along said slide to position a bobbin in said work position, part of said feed member extending over a portion of the bobbin in the work position, said part engaging part of said ram plate to force said part against said bobbin and clamp the same against said slide in the work position.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 4 including means for ejecting said bobbin from said apparatus following attachment of lugs on said bobbin.
 8. Apparatus for attaching lugs on opposite sides of a bobbin comprising a base; a ram plate above said baseplate movable from a lower position away from and back toward said base; means for feeding a bobbin to a work position between said base and said ram plate; a pair of lug applicators mounted on said baseplate to either side of said work position; each applicator including a baseplate on said base and a top plate, said top plate mounted on said baseplate for movement toward and away therefrom and biased away therefrom by spring means so as to be maintained in contact with said ram plate, feed means between said baseplate and ram plate for positioning the lead lug of a lug strip adjacent said bobbin work position with a portion thereof projecting past said applicator toward said work position, resilient clamp means for clamping said lead lug between said base and top plates upon lowering of said ram plate, and cutoff means operable upon lowering of said ram plate following clamping of said lug to sever said lug from said strip; and drive means for moving both of said applicators toward the bobbin held in said work position to attach said portion of said lugs held in said clamps to the bobbin.
 9. Apparatus as in claim 8 including a pneumatic bobbin ejector operable to direct a blast of air on said bobbin following movement of said ram plate away from said base and opening of said clamps to eject a lugged bobbin from the apparatus.
 10. Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said bobbin feed is located on one side of said base and said pneumatic ejector is adjacent said bobbin feed means and operable to eject said lugged bobbin out the opposite side of said base.
 11. Apparatus for attaching lugs to both sides of a blind pocket bobbin including a base; a ram plate above said base movable from a rest position away from said base and back to said rest position; a bobbin slide on said base extending from a position beneath said ram plate outwardly to one side of said base; a bobbin feed member extendable along said slide to move a bobbin to a work position beneath said ram plate; a pair of lug applicators located on said baseplate to either side of said slide; each applicator including a baseplate movable toward and away from said slide, a top plate mounted on said baseplate and movable toward and away therefrom, spring means confined between said top and baseplates to hold said top plate against said ram plate, a strip feed on said baseplate including a feed groove extending along the applicator toward said slide, and feed means for moving a strip of lugs along said groove toward said slide to move the lead lug to a position with a portion thereof projecting outwardly of said applicator toward said slide, the remainder of said lug positioned above a portion of said baseplate, a resilient clamp on said top plate above said portion of said baseplate so that upon lowering of said ram plate to said rest position the lead lug is clamped agaInst said portion of said baseplate, and cutoff means including a knife on said top plate on the side of said clamp away from said slide operable to sever said lead lug from said strip following clamping of said lug as the ram plate returns to the rest position; and drive means operable when said ram plate is in the rest position for simultaneously moving both of said applicators toward the bobbin held in said work position to seat the exposed portions of said lead lugs in pockets on both sides of said bobbin.
 12. Apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said drive means includes a rotatable shaft located below said base, means to rotate said shaft in two directions, and a mechanical linkage between said shaft and said applicators whereby rotation of said shaft in one direction moves said applicators toward said slide and rotation of said shaft in the other direction moves said applicators away from said slide.
 13. Apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said bobbin feed member comprises a fork having a pair of laterally spaced tines extending along the axis of said slide so that a bobbin may be fitted between said tines with portions below the tines for feeding of the bobbin to said work position, a clamp member extending downwardly from said ram plate to engage said fork when said fork is extended and a bobbin is positioned in said work position whereby the bobbin is clamped in said work position between said tines and said slide.
 14. The method of attaching a contact element to a substrate comprising the steps of locating a substrate in a work position, feeding a contact element to a position adjacent the substrate, clamping the element between a pair of jaws in a fixed location relative to the substrate with a portion of the element exposed to the substrate, moving the jaws with the element clamped therebetween toward the substrate to attach the exposed portion of the element to the substrate at a desired location, and releasing the jaws.
 15. The method of attaching a lug to a bobbin comprising the steps of mounting a bobbin in a work position, feeding a strip of lugs toward the bobbin to position the lead lug of said strip adjacent the bobbin, clamping the lead lug between a pair of jaws with a portion thereof projecting from between the jaws toward the bobbin, severing the lead lug from the strip while clamped, moving said jaws with the lead lug clamped therebetween toward the bobbin to seat said lug portion in a lug-receiving pocket on the bobbin, and opening said jaws to release the lug.
 16. The method of attaching lugs to opposite sides of a bobbin comprising the steps of locating a bobbin in a work position, simultaneously feeding lug strips located on opposite sides of the bobbin toward the bobbin, clamping the lead lug of each strip between a pair of jaws with a portion of the lead lug exposed toward the bobbin, severing said lugs from said strips following clamping, moving said jaws with the lead lugs therebetween toward said bobbin to attach said lug portions to said bobbin, and opening said jaws to free said lugs. 